Autodesk 00128-051462-9310 User Guide - Page 258

For detailed information, see "Converting a Legacy Drawing to a Construct" on page 221. Construct Files A construct is a drawing (DWG) file. As opposed to other non-project related drawing files, an additional XML file with the same name is created. The accompanying XML file contains information to connect the construct to the project. NOTE The XML file is created and updated automatically. You do not need to edit it, but be careful not to accidentally delete it in Windows Explorer. Construct Templates When you create a project, you set a default template for new constructs. If you convert an existing drawing file to a construct, it might be based on a different template. If necessary, import styles, layer information, and other settings from the default template into the legacy drawing before or after converting it to a construct. For more information on project templates, see "Project Support Files" on page 159. Copying Constructs to Levels In multi-story buildings, levels may have identical floor plans. You can create the constructs for one level and copy them to the other levels in one quick step. For detailed information, see "Copying Constructs to Levels" on page 221. When to Start with Constructs You would start creating constructs in the following cases: ■ when you want to assemble the basic structure of your building project ■ when you have identified the unique portions of the building ■ when you have identified the repeating, non-unique units of the project, and have created elements for them Typically, you begin a project by creating constructs. Adding details like elements often comes later in the process. For example, perhaps you know how many offices you need on a floor before you know the exact furniture layout of the offices. Therefore, you would first create the construct for the office, "First Floor-Office Space." Later, you could create elements for cubicle/desk combinations or generic printer/copier layouts and reference them into the construct. Plan view of construct with highlighted furniture elements Keep these considerations in mind when creating constructs: ■ A construct can contain building objects, referenced elements, or a combination of both. ■ A construct represents a unique portion of a building. If you want to reuse a construct within the project, create an element instead. For more information, see "Elements" on page 231. Processing Constructs in the Building Project Constructs are the main building blocks of the building model. A construct can contain referenced elements and building objects, such as walls, roofs, and doors. It can also contain more abstract information, like structural grids, building outlines, and footpaths. After creating constructs, you can create different views of your building data. A view might contain the framing constructs for floors 1-4, the foundation construct, and the column grid construct. Or, a view of the first floor might include the partition walls of the first floor, the framing of the first floor, and the shell components of the building. 218 | Chapter 6 Drawing Management